When I think about Memorial Day, I think about how the soldiers are like us Christians. We both fight for a better place. We both have "presidents". But, in the end we all die. We fall into the hands of the enemy or to fall into a hands of a loved one. And I realize a friend could go to hell because I didn't offer an invitation to Jesus. Amen and have a blessed day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhJpYzJ8rhM
~End transmission~
Monday, May 28, 2012
Memorial Day--Hunter
What I said about Memorial Day was that soldiers dying for us is like Jesus dying to allow us to be free, and be able to go to heaven when we die. Jesus also died to free us from the law, just as soldiers can die for us to protect us from other countries who try to destroy us.
Memorial Day--Blaise
I want to give the soldiers beef jerky. they would like it. i ilke it to i the blaiser will come back. i need you to win.
Memorial Day
Today at the breakfast table I asked the kids if they knew why we celebrate Memorial Day. Blaise answered that we celebrate it to remember the presidents like Lincoln. Morgan and Hunter answered that we celebrate it to remember the soldiers that died to serve us. Then I asked them if they knew of someone else who was like a soldier, sacrificing life to serve others. The 3 posts that follow are their responses. Enjoy!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Crevice Tool
Yesterday the weather started out in the low 60s, so I planned to take on the task of washing the van later on in the day. However, later in the day it was much cooler and the sky looked like rain was on the way. So instead I decided that I would vacuum the inside of the van, a task which I could abruptly conclude if the weather did not cooperate.
It had probably been more than six months since the van was last vacuumed. I found french fries, gravel, scraps of paper, a Canadian coin, and other hidden "treasures" all throughout the vehicle. The debris was everywhere, including underneath nooks and inside little crannies that could not easily be reached.
'Now where's my crevice tool?' I thought. The crevice tool is a long, thin, attachment on my vacuum with a narrow slit-like opening. It can reach inside all of those tight spots and get out everything that's hiding. Even when I don't see the debris with my own eyes, I can shove the crevice tool in there and it sucks it out everytime without fail.
Did you know that the word of God is our crevice tool as Christians? Hebrews 4:12-13 says,
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-eged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
God sees everything and His word reveals that which is in us that we do not see or that we choose to ignore. Have you ever heard a minister or other Christian speaker preach and wonder, 'How did they know I was struggling with that?' or 'Did my friend tell the preacher about me?' When a message is spoken using the word of God, it's like my crevice tool. It gets to your innermost self and reveals truth. The beautiful part of all this is that when we acknowledge the truth and do what God is telling us to do, we will be set free.
It had probably been more than six months since the van was last vacuumed. I found french fries, gravel, scraps of paper, a Canadian coin, and other hidden "treasures" all throughout the vehicle. The debris was everywhere, including underneath nooks and inside little crannies that could not easily be reached.
'Now where's my crevice tool?' I thought. The crevice tool is a long, thin, attachment on my vacuum with a narrow slit-like opening. It can reach inside all of those tight spots and get out everything that's hiding. Even when I don't see the debris with my own eyes, I can shove the crevice tool in there and it sucks it out everytime without fail.
Did you know that the word of God is our crevice tool as Christians? Hebrews 4:12-13 says,
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-eged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
God sees everything and His word reveals that which is in us that we do not see or that we choose to ignore. Have you ever heard a minister or other Christian speaker preach and wonder, 'How did they know I was struggling with that?' or 'Did my friend tell the preacher about me?' When a message is spoken using the word of God, it's like my crevice tool. It gets to your innermost self and reveals truth. The beautiful part of all this is that when we acknowledge the truth and do what God is telling us to do, we will be set free.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Student-Teacher
My daughter has been wanting a cell phone for some time now. Ross and I are not feeling it. We don't believe that she needs one until she is driving. Nevertheless, she asked me if it would be okay for her to pray for a cell phone. I told her that she certainly could, as God tells us to come to Him with our desires so that He can answer us.
Every time she prays she asks for God to get her a cell phone and more recently the request has become more specific in asking for an iphone. Yesterday, Morgan and I had time alone together for lunch and some shopping. I shared with her a few verses including Matthew 7:9-11 and James 1:17 which both talk about our Father giving "good gifts". I shared with her that although she wants and is praying for an iphone, she may not receive it from God if it is not a "good gift" for Morgan. She understood, but is continuing to pray, now asking that she would receive it for her birthday which is next month.
Last week, I was out and about at the Salvation Army store and saw these beautiful vases that would be just perfect for my dining room corner cabinet. I didn't have the money to get them at the time, so I moved them around away from each other so that no one else would come along, realize how well they go together, and pick them up before I was able to come back for them! Today I had some time to kill in the morning and thought about taking a little money from here and a little money from there to pay for them. Then guess what came into my mind? "Every good and perfect gift comes from above..." (James 1:17) I thought, 'No, Lord! I don't want to hear that now! I want to get my vases!' But He was clear. I need to wait and put it in the May budget. Yes, even second-hand decor goes into the budget. It sounds trite, but if I splurge on this, I'll splurge on a dress and a pair of shoes, too. Today God took the teacher and made her the student.
Every time she prays she asks for God to get her a cell phone and more recently the request has become more specific in asking for an iphone. Yesterday, Morgan and I had time alone together for lunch and some shopping. I shared with her a few verses including Matthew 7:9-11 and James 1:17 which both talk about our Father giving "good gifts". I shared with her that although she wants and is praying for an iphone, she may not receive it from God if it is not a "good gift" for Morgan. She understood, but is continuing to pray, now asking that she would receive it for her birthday which is next month.
Last week, I was out and about at the Salvation Army store and saw these beautiful vases that would be just perfect for my dining room corner cabinet. I didn't have the money to get them at the time, so I moved them around away from each other so that no one else would come along, realize how well they go together, and pick them up before I was able to come back for them! Today I had some time to kill in the morning and thought about taking a little money from here and a little money from there to pay for them. Then guess what came into my mind? "Every good and perfect gift comes from above..." (James 1:17) I thought, 'No, Lord! I don't want to hear that now! I want to get my vases!' But He was clear. I need to wait and put it in the May budget. Yes, even second-hand decor goes into the budget. It sounds trite, but if I splurge on this, I'll splurge on a dress and a pair of shoes, too. Today God took the teacher and made her the student.
Friday, April 20, 2012
The Chance--Update
People have been asking me about the writing contest for which I submitted an entry. Well, I knew before this but received the official letter in the mail yesterday saying that I did not win. Nevertheless I am still thankful that I tried. The good news is that I also received a 30 dollar check in the mail. Isn't it just like God to provide an anesthetic for our hurts?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)